Lubricating installation



Feb. 29, 1935. J BUUR 1,992,178

LUBRICATING INSTALLATION Filed March 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I xiv 0k .Bj'ur A, TTORNEYJ.

Feb. 26, 1935.

J. BIJUR 1,992,178

LUBRICATING INSTALLATION Filed March 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb; 26, 1935.

J. BIJUR 4 1,992,178

LUBRICATING INSTALLATION Filed March 26, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I "prllmwilvlmwillil,l'llp.ulplpl INVENTOR Jose vii fiyar- B Y 46;; ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 26, 193 I I ED-STAT -H wam Joseph 'Bij'ur,

New York, Y., as signor to Auto Research Corporation, a corporation ot jDela ware I 'Appucation Mirth 2 ,1929, Serial no. 319,932;

' 22 Claims. (cuss- 1);

system, such as, that specifically illustrated in the drawings of my prior Patent No. 1,632,771 of June 14, 1927,;will give an inherent indication ofthe need for replenishment, an automatically operating feed system is subject to; thedifiiculty that "give belatedwarning .the' user. is not apprised of the depletion of the source of lubricant andmay not even become aware of -the fact that lubrication is not occur ring until squeaks or more serious manifestations that the vehicle has not been lubricated. Q m.

It is accordingly, an object of; the, invention to provide in a-lubricating system and more particularly -inan automatic feed lubricating system, means for giving timely notice to the operator of the'need for a fresh supply of lubricant.

Another object is to provide apparatus or means of the above type of simple and inexpensive con-. struction, dependable to give an indication or ala 'inupon depletion of lubricant, and to give no false indication, regardless of the varying conditions of vehicle operation, aslong as a sufficient supply of lubricant remains, i

Another object is to provide means of the above type the use or operation of which "shall not involve drain upon the storage battery or other sourceof energy; available on the vehicle, which shall involve n parts that require delicate or criticalpositioning onthe-vehicle and no' separate or exposed element subject to injury.

yet not so obtrussively, as

Another object is to: provide an. indicator or alarm of the above type, the action of which shall not be impaired by heat, by moisture or by jamming due. to vibration.

,Another object is toprovide an indicator or alarm oithe'abov'e type, which will give the indication of depletion in an unmistakable" manner,

operator or to passers-by. V The invention in one aspect utilizes the damping sheet of lubricant in the, reservoir to maintain inactive an indicator element capable of functioning by inertia in the absence of a'sufiicient supply of lubricant during normalvehicle operation.

Specifically, the dampingi efiect of lubricant operating mass at the pro uc me to be a nuisance to the maintains two relatively movable correlated elements*outiof cantact onengagement with each otherunder {all conditions of vehicle operation, whether over smooth or rough roads, while in the absence oi a suflicient supply of lubricant, the two correlated ,;elements, are capable intermittently of engaging, in'one embodimentto close an electric indicator,- preferably' a lamp, in another embodimentto produce .ajwarning, sound by their impact. V r

J In one specific embodiment the'correlatedcone tact elements include a mass. loosely retained electric circuit controlling any suitable form of withinthe reservoir and adapted tostrike pref erably the bottom, the wall or cover of the reservoir;'the reby: to produce a sound, r In on'especific embodiment the massis mounted on ,theend of a spring leaf anchored at one end to the bottom of the lubricant reservoir and thereby submerged in lubricant'until substantial depletion of the tank.

In another specific-embodiment ablapper. is

pendant and impacts the wall of the reservoir,

and is actuated'by the inertia movement of an outer end of an, arm secured to the pendant clapper member and near the upper end thereof.

odiment, the sound 'may be-mounted on one leaf secured to the cover, a pendant member the movement of which is damped by; lubricant in the reservoir restraining vibration of the leaf .In'the accompanying drawin s, in which are shown one or more of various possible embodi- In ,anotherspecific em ments of theseveral features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a'frag ment of an automatic chassis lubricating system,v 1 Fig. 2' is a view in longitudinal cross-section taken online 2-,-2 of Fig.3 showing 'oneembodiment of reservoir and with parts broken away to reveal operating mechanism,

other embodiment, j

v Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line -3 of V longitudinal sectional cator 1s a clapper member above the'level'of spring Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8, Fig. 19 is a transverse detail sectional view on line 1010 of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section of another embodiment, V

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on line 12-12 of,Fig.--11, r a Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram. of the embodiment of Figs. 11 and 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view similar showing another embodiment, and K M Fig. 15 is a top view of the indicatormechanism of Fig. 14.

to Fig. ll

In Fig. 1 of the drawings therejis indicated diagrammatically an automatic lubricating system including a lubricant reservoir. illustra tively mounted at the front of the dashboard and feeding a distributing system, a fragment of which appears at 21. Since the specific arrangement by which automaticity is effected is not material to the invention herein claimed, 'I-have for'the sake sible arrangements Referring to Fig. 2 the reservoirillustratively includes a diaphragm 22 near the, upper end thereof connected by a pipe 23 for application thereto. of suction from the intake manifold .ofthe engine. 7 Under substantial variations of suction in they pump and the system 21.

In the embodiment of Figs. 2- and 3 the'indiwhether the reservoir be full or empty.

The stiifness of the spring leaf 3 1 issuch that the inertia of its clapper no substantial swaying, until the vehicle strikes a rut, ridge, gutter, railway track,or other substantial depression, irregularity or obstruction in the road. When such bump is encountered the nal,

When the reservoir-is filled-with lubricant, well effective to produce a sound becausethe-movewill thereupon'return under 31, the vibration is in ment of the clapper weight with its vane 28 is clamped or retarded by the lubricant in which it is submerged. As the level of lubricant in the reservoir recedes the sound will at first be but faint and as the reservoir becomes further depleted, it will become louder until when the reservoir is completely empty, it is of maximum loudness, thus giving a more and more insistent alarm in the event ,of' continued neglect to' refill.

The frequency of clapping and the intensity thereof will depend on the stifi'ness and length 01' thespring leaf mount, and the mass of the clapper. The proportions will be selected in accordance with the 'character of use to which the vehicleisto be put and the loudness and frequency of alarm desired. .For ordinary pleasure car use, I find that satisfactory employing a spring leaf, of Figs. 2 and 3, 4 inches in length, inch in width and made of .008 gauge 'steel.

- In Fig; 4 isshown a metal'bracket which may be'secured asby" screws 36- near the top'of the reservoir 20'.-- -o the inner part of this U- shaped bracket is secured by means of screws 37 the upper end of 'a spring metal leaf. 38 to the lower-end of which a clapper weight 39 is secured by means of rivets 40. The-weight is a button facing, the Wall of the reservoir and having an associated damping vane 41 curved with its concavity facing the center of the reservoir; Riveted tothe-leaf 38 near the upper end thereof is the upstanding end 42 ably of thicker and less resilient metal than leai 38. At the outer end of bar 43 a weight 44 may be secured by means of a bolt 45. 1

Normally vane 41-will damp the vibration of sequent snapping of leaf 38 and impact of button 39 against'the wall of thereservoir. The consequent occasional alarm stops when the reservoiris refilled. 5" In Figs; 5 and 6 is shown an embodiment'in which the clapper strikes the cover rather than the reservoir wall, and in'this instance the resere voiris shown as a separable element'suspended from the cover, the latter carrying not only the clapper but all of the other op'erative mechanism. The cover is'welded to lugs 51'turnedin from a bracket 52 by which the cover is mounted tothe dashboardor other support (not shown). The pump-unit comprises a metal capsule having cups 53 and 54 housing the diaphragm 55 andlsecured by means of the suction inlet nipple 56 to the cover*50.; A tube 5'7 is soldered to the lower cup '54 of the diaphragm capsule "and mounts at its lower end may be secured thereto by a pair of cross pins 59. The pump plunger 60 extends longitudinally through block 58, and is connected by means of a link 61 to'rod 62 axially of tube-57 and secured at its upper end at 63 centrally of diaphragm 55. A spring retainer cup 64 65 transversely throughthe link 61 and sustains the lower end of a coil compression spring 66 withinthe tube 57 the uppe rfend of which spring reacts-againstthe cup 54. 1

results are obtained by as in the embodiments v of a horizontal bar. 43 prefer rests on' the ends of pin the pump block 58 which 7 The pump plunger draws itscharge past an in 12am feeds through pipe mally, as shown,

oil is drawn past inlet valve 6'7 since-theisupply to the latter is controlled by 'a filter disk 68 therebelow retained in thedownwardly extending rim 69 of a'cup .70 staked to'the-low er end of the block 58. An outlet check valve 71- is mounted in theside of the block 58, is seated by spring "13 to outlet nipple 74 in the cover 50 to whichnipple the distributing pipe system -(not shown) isconnected,

The oil reservoir isshown as a cylindrical vessel 75 having a flange "76' extending within the flange 50 of the cover and'urged. upward against the, latterjbv'mean's iii-appropriate; releasable hasps 77*hinged at 78tothe -cover 50.

.Since. the reservoir 75 does notmountany or the operating mechanism and is "not called on to resist any of the strains due topump operation, but serves merely as thecontainer forzthe supply of lubricant; it may be .aof; glass which affords the obvious advantage of permitting inspection of the contentslwithout disgassembly or removal of'any 10f theuparts, I

The construction of Figs-Sand 6 thus far described is not per se claimed herein but is the subject: matter, of a copendinga-pplication, 44683790, filed July 18, 1930. The clapper indicator in the present embodiment comprises a resilient leaf '19 riveted at 80 to a downturned bracket 81 which in turn is riveted as at 82' to the lower side of the cover. At the free end, the leaf '79 has an angle piece 83 of heavier stockwith an upstanding edge nor-' somewhat below the cover. The same rivets 84- which preferably connect angle piece 83 to theupper face of leaf 79,affix a damping blade 85 to the lower surface ofsaid leaf spring. The damping blade is preferably a metal strip, extending downward within the reservoir to somewhat above the bottom thereof and having an inturned footi86 integral therewith.

It will be understood that as-the level of lubri-- cant in the reservoir becomes low and the damping effect of the pendant damping blade 8 5v greatly diminishes, the resilient metal blade will be unrestrainedin its, flexure resulting from the inertia of the angle piece 83 when the vehicle strikes a rut, ridge or other substantial irregularity. The edge of the weight will accordingly strike the metal cover once me while giving theoccasional alarm signal, until damping medium-is restored by,re-

filling the reservoirs,

In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the sound is produced by impact of a suspended mass. Illustratively andpreferably this mass is a. heavy metal ball 90 to which is soldered a carrying hook 91 affixed to the lower end of a chain 92 the upper end of which is preferably secured to'a hook 93' struck out from the removable fillingcaDSl.

It will be obvious that; the amplitude of vibration of the pendulum weight will be greatly'restricted'when the 'reservoir 20 has oil in it well above the level of the ball, while upon depletion or substantial depletionof the reservoir theball will swing relatively freely undervibration. -T'ne ball being mounted as shown, it would require a substantial jolt to cause it to swing suiliciently to strike the wallet the reservoirwith sufficient impact to produce a readily audible sound; 7

In-the present embodiment the reservoir and coverremain unmodified and require no brackets, or rivetholes therefor,- the indicator device being assembled with the removable cover.

I In the embodiment of Figs. 3, 9 and 10 thesound is produced'by the impact of a ball which however is guided in arace or runwevcxtendins diametrically across the reservoir, slightly above the bottom thereof. The runway illustratively is formed from a length of sheet metal having a bottom96, upturned longitransve'r'sely, preferably tudinalsides 97 and inturned flanges 98 which'prevent'the 'ball 99 frombeing'thrown upward out of the runway; i

' The bottom 96-has upturned end tongues 100 which are riveted at 101 to thereservoir wall to mount the runway. Preferably the longitudinal edges, or corners of the runway have spaced drain apertures 102. 1

'In' normal operation the ball is submerged under. the lubricant and will therefore not move substantially andwill :make no readily audible sound. Whenever the lubricant drops to a level below that of the topof the runway 97 the dampingefiect of the lubricant uponthe ball becomes less untilas the level drops to the base of the runway and the contents thereof become completely drained through the apertures 102, the ball will be free to roll toward one or-zthe other end of the gutter. Preferably theigutter 96 is arranged to extend transversely-0f the vehicle in which relation the movementsoi. quently than for 'a longitudinal arrangement so that sound will result byimpact of the ball with the wall of .the reservoir, in manner and at intervals resembling the action of the other embodiments'previously'described.

y In the embodiment of Figs. 11=to 13 a resiliently mounted mass 105 is provided generally similar to'that-of theembodiment ofFigs. 2 and 3, but

in this instance the mass is causedwhen low level occurs notto produce sound by impact, but to effect closure of an electriccircuit producing a signal preferably at the low level.

Illustratively the springleaf 106 is riveted to a bracket 107 on the reservoir bottom and carries the metal ball 105: composed of two segments at "the outer end thereof and rivetedin place at 105.

Lateralvanes 108 integral with leaf 106 project laterally trom-theballandserve to damp vibration. The ball constitutes one of the elements of a a circuit closer including a stationary spring leaf contact 109 mounted upon an' insulating plate 110 secured to and extending through the bottom of thereservoir, with an associated depending bind ing post 111 connected by-a conductor 112 with the electric signal. Whenever ball'105'engages spring contact 109, binding post'lll is grounded by way 0t ball'105 spring leaf 106 and bracket 107, to produce a signal in the manner described below.

The signal is preferably a red lamp 113 mounted at the'da'shboard behind aidisk 114 bearing the normally invisible legend. Refill chassis lubricator" or equivalent direction. The ,other terminal of the lamp is, connected to the. terminal 115 of the primary winding 116 of the ignition coil which is energized from the grounded storage battery 117 when the ignition switch 118 is on.

As long as thereisan adequate supply oflubricant in V will be damped' When the lubricant is exhausted or nearly exhausted, an occasional substantial swing of the ball 105 will occur during vehicle operation at which times circuit closure occurs which grounds the lamp and thus closes circuit from the storage battery'll'l.

As in the case of the other embodiments, the frequencies'of the indications, in this case flashes of light, will increase as the condition of complete depletion of the reservoir is approached.

Whenever the ignition switch is opened'and the ball will occur less frethe reservoirthe movement. of ball 105.

dashboard, for indicating 4 the vehicle is arrested the battery circuit to the amp is disconnected and depletion of'the battery is thus avoided, even though 'due tomechanical derangement ball 105 should remain in engagement with contact 109 when the vehicle is at rest. As soon as the vehicle is again placed into operation .(ignition switch 118 being closed) if the reservoiris still empty or-nearly empty, occasional closure of the circuit through the swing of the ball 105 will occur and will give the occasional signal that the. system requires replenthat of ishing. By reason of the resilience of spring contact 109, the ball in its swing will dwell for more than an instant, and the light flashes will thus be of sufiicient duration to be noticed.

In the arrangement of Figs. 14 and 15 an insulating block is connected by terminal screws 121 and 122 to the bottom of the reservoir. One of these screws 121 is electrically connected to a short leaf 123 carrying electric contact 124, the other of said screws 122 is electrically connected to a longer spring leaf 125 anchored at one end by screw 122 and by a clamping plate 126 on top of the insulating block. The effectiveness'of the clamping plate 126 is maintained by a pressure nut 127 reacting against the said plate. The spring leaf 125 carries a Weighted vane 128 riveted to the outer end thereof.- Between its ends leaf 125 carries an electric contact 129 in alignment with the contact 124. The spring leaf 125 is of such length and resiliency that the. electric contacts are normallyseparated even when the reservoir is filled with lubricant. In the present embodiment theindicator thus is a complete unitary assembly aflixed in the bottom of the reservoir dispensing with the need for correlating elements separately mounted in the reservoir.

It will be understood, that the embodiment of Figs. 14 and 15 is alternative to that of Figs. 11 and 12 and will preferably be used in the circuit shown in Fig. 13. i

The-arrangement of contacts 124 and 129 effects a dwell or wiping engagement, for effective electrical contact.

The damping efiect of the lubricant on the vane 128 will prevent any vibration of amplitude sufficient to close contact. When the reservoir is empty or nearly'empty, then in operation, the amplitude of vibration will occasionally, in travel over a particularly rough spot' in the road, be sufiicient to cause engagement of the circuit closer 124, 129 causing momentary flashing of the lamp 113 and giving the visible, indication desired.

'While the invention has a preferred application to automatically operated systems as above described and is not vital in a system such as my priorPatent No. 1,632,771, of June 1927, in which the absence of lubricant in the reservoir gives an inherent indication upon manual operation, the invention is, of course, not limited to automatic systems and may be utilized to advantage in connection with manually'or pedally operated or controlledjsystemsof the type that do notgive inherent indication ,of depletion, and also as an added safeguard to such as do give such inherent indication.

While the invention has its preferred application in automobile chassis lubricating systems, it is not limited to such use, but may be applied to other mechanisms or installations subject to irregular vibrations in the normal use or operation thereof.

Iclaim:--' j I 1..In. an automatic lubricating system for 'a machine subject to vibration in use, the combination of aslubricant'container thereon, and alarm meansincluding a vibratory part responding to vibration of. the machine and having a contact part the-refor -in:..the container and maintained,

from giving an indication by the viscosity oi lubricantf'submerging said parts and resilient means associated with said. movement at alltimes.

' 2. In .a lubricating system forfa vehicle,

combinationof a reservoir, a resiliently'mounted inertia member within the reservoir subject to ment of said inertia member to prevent effective operation'of. said signal means:

3. In alubricating system for a. vehicle the combination of a reservoir, "a clapper mass mounted within the reservoir and subject-to ver-' tical vibration in movement of the vehicle, means to cause a signal actuated by said clapper mass,

the damping effect of a substantial-residue of".

lubricant in the reservoir impeding the move: ment of said clapper mass topreventeflectiv operation of said signal means.

4. A mechanical depletion indicator for a metallic liquid container on a vibrating mechanism, said indicator including a vibratory impact member within the container and subjected to vibration of the mechanism and arranged for striking contact with said container, and cushioned from making sound upon said striking contact when submerged in liquid, said impact member including an inertia weight supported by a resilient leaf "spring member rigidly connected at one end to the inertia weight and at the other end to the container.

5. In an automatic.lubricatingsystem for a vibratory mechanism, the combination of a lubricant reservoir subject to vibration with the mechanism and a clapper member in said reservoir adapted to strike a part of the wall thereof and maintained by the presence of a substantial residue of lubricant therein from sound-producing impact under vibration of the mechanism.

6. In an automatic lubricating system for a vibratory mechanism, the combination of a lubricant reservoir subject to vibration with the mechanism, a flexible member retained at one end thereof in substantially fixed position in said reservoir and having a weight aflixed-at the free end thereof within said reservoir, and adapted to strike a part of the wall of the latter, said weight maintained by the presence'of a'substantial residue of lubricant in the reservoir, from sound producing impact under vibration of the mechanism. 7. In an automatic lubricating system for a vibratory mechanism, the combination of a lubricant reservoir subject to vibration with the mechanism, a-resilient carrying-member affixed at oneend with respect to said reservoir and a weight carried substantially at thefree end 01' said resilient member and within said. reservoir, said weight adapted to strike apart of theenclosing wall of the reservoir and maintained by the presence of a substantial residue of lubricant therein, from sound producing of the mechanism.

part and resisting.

impact under vibration 8. In a centralized lubricating system for motor vehicles, the combination of alubricant reservoir unit, adapted. to vibrate in a substa'ntially vertical plane inmovement of the vehicle,- and a clapper unitv having a'fixed mount with respect within the reservoir cushioningthe movement of said inertia part toprevent sound when thereservoir has a sufiicient charge of lubricant 9. In a lubricant reservoir for an automatic chassis lubricating system the combination of a:

spring-leaf attached with respect to a wall'of; the reservoir,- and extending substantially horizon tally with respect,.1thereto, anainertia member;

the spring leaf forswinginga near the free endzof under. vibration of; theyehicle and meansunder the influence of said inertia member to'impact.

a wall of the reservoir, said means being damped against sound producing impact under the effect of lubricant in the reservoir.

10. A lubricant reservoi for an automatic central chassis lubricating system including the combination therewithin of a spring leaf riveted to the floor of the reservoir, and a clapper member.

secured to the outer end of said spring and adapted to strike the floor of the reservoir to produce a sound under vibration in the absence of lubricant in the reservoir. i

11. A reservoir for a central chassis lubricating system including a bracket afiixed to the floor of the reservoir, a spring leaf afiixed at one end to said bracket and extending substantially transversely across the bottom and a combinedinertia device and damping vane rivetedto the outer end of the spring leaf and having a downturned clapper lug adapted to strike the floor of the reservoir.

12. In a supply reservoir ing system, the combination of a vibratory electric circuit closer restrained against vibration by charge of lubricant the presence of a substantial in the reservoir, electric signal means in circuit with said circuit closer and means interlocked with said engine and in series with said circuit closer to open said circuit, thereby to disable the signal while the engine is out of operation.

13. A supply reservoir for a central chassis lubricating system, having vibratory means therein clamped by the presence of a substantial charge of lubricant, an electric circuit closer under control, of said vibratorymeans, an electric signal device in circuit with said circuit closer, the ignition switch of the engine being in series with said circuit closer and said signal.

14. In 'a-chassis lubricating system, the com- .binationof a lubricant reservoir having a metal leaf aflixed thereto near one end thereof, an inertia weight on said leaf and near the free end thereof, an electric contact mounted in said reservoir, a part on said resilient leaf adapted under vibration to contact and close circuit with said electric contact, one of said coacting contact members being grounded and the other insulated with respect to said reservoir.

15. A lubricant reservoir for a central chassis lubricating system, including a loosely sustained weight therein and subject to movement under vibration of the vehicle, a circuit closer contact having an insulated support in a wall of the reservoir and adapted for connection to an electric signal device, said weight grounded to the reservoir for grounding the circuit closer when said weight establishes contact of said circuit closer.

16. In a lubricating system for a vehicle, the combination of a reservoir, a clapper mass reresidue of lubricant in for a chassis lubricatsilientlymountedwithin the reservoir and subject to vibration in movement of the vehicle, a signal contact'partgoverned by said clapper mass, the damping'efiect of a substantial residue of lubricant in the reservoir impeding the movement of said'clapper mass to prevent effective operation of said signal'contact part. a 17. In a lubricating system for a-vehicle, the

combinationof, areservoir, a clapper mass mounted'within'the reservoir and subject to, reciprocatory vibration in movement of the vehicle, said reciprocatory movement away from and toward the interior of said reservoirand' of small amplitude when said'reservoir is full and largeamplitude1when nearly empty, a signal causing means actuated bysaid clapper mass when said mass 1, is; undergoing vibration. of large amplitudewnen said, mass isat the end of its. movement away from the interior of the reservoir, the damping effect of a substantial residue of lubricant in the reservoir impeding the movement of said clapper mass to prevent effective operation of said signal means. I

18. In a lubricating system for a vehicle, the combination of a reservoir, a clapper mass mounted within the reservoir and subject to reciprocatory vibration in movement of the vehicle, said vibrating being away from and toward the interior of said reservoir and of small amplitude when said reservoir is full and large amplitude when nearly empty, a signal causing means actuated by said clapper mass when said mass is undergoing vibration of large amplitude at the end of its movement away from the interior of the reservoir, the damping efiect of a substantial the reservoir impeding the movement of said clapper mass to prevent effective operation of said signal means, said signal means including an electrical contact.

19. In a lubricating system for a vehicle, the combination of a reservoir, a guided and confined inertia member within the reservoir, subject to reciprocatory vibration toward and away from the wall of the reservoir in movement of the vehicle, the damping effect of a substantial residue or lubricant in the reservoir impeding the movement of said inertia member to prevent effective contact with the wall of the reservoir, the normal amplitude of movement of said member being suflicient to cause effective contact, whereby a warning signal is caused.

20. In-a lubricating system for a vehicle, the combination of a reservoir, a clapper mass resiliently mounted within the reservoir and subject to reciprocatory vibration in the movement of the vehicle, said reciprocatory movementbeing away from and toward the interior of said reservoir, said movement being of relatively low power and taking place relatively slowly when said reservoir is full and being of relatively high power and taking place relatively quickly when said reservoir is nearly empty, signal causing means actuated by said clapper mass when said massis undergoing said relatively quick movement with relatively high power and when said mass is at the end of its movement away from the interior of the reservoir, the damping effect of a substantial residue of lubricant in the reservoir impeding the movement of the clapper mass to prevent effective operation of said signal means.

21. In a lubricating system for a vehicle, the combination of a reservoir, a guided and confined inertia member within the reservoir, a signal causing means associated with said reservoir,

said guided and confined inertia member being resiliently mounted within the reservoir and subject to reciprocatory vibration toward and away from said signal causing means, the damping effect of a substantial residue of lubricant in the reservoir impeding the movement of said inertia member to prevent effective contact with the signal causing means, the undamped movement of said inertia member being sufiicient to cause eiiective contact, whereby a warning signal is caused, said inertia member being so confined that it will not leave its normal position even though the reservoir be inverted.

22. In a lubricating system for a vehicle, an indicator for giving a signal when the lubricant supply needs replenishing, said indicatorcomprising a relatively fixed element and a resiliently mounted relatively movable element actuated-upon movement of the vehicle to periodilubricant requires replenishment, said fixed element comprising a reservoir assembly provided with cylindrical side and relatively flat bottom walls, said walls formin part of the said fixed element, and said movable element consisting'in part of-an inertia mass of relatively great weight and means to confine the reciprocatory movement of said weight so that it will move toward and away from said walls through a fixed path within said reservoir assembly, said inertia member being of such mass that when the lubricant supply is substantially depletedit will approach said walls with suflicient velocity to cause a warning signal and said confining means preventing loss of the inertia member even though the reservoir assembly be inverted.

. JOSEPH BiJUia.

vus 

